“How do you have the energy to tease me as soon as you wake up, madam? Can you not wait until after breakfast?”
“I have had my tea.” Lizzie replied peacefully, “The teasing shall continue, my love, until you wish me a good morning. A cup of tea and an unhinged letter will not suffice.”
“She is not unhinged.”
“Ah, but her letter is. She knows nothing of your struggles, yet makes such lurid accusations! Yes, I say that the letter is unhinged, and I stand by it. If you wish to argue with me, sir, then I fear you will have to… what was it? Expose me to debauchery?”
“That is how Ialwayssay good morning.”
“Well, yes - but not for the benefit of your aunt, I hope!”
“No, my love.” he laughed, taking the teacup from her unresisting hand, “It is just for you.”
Lizzie wrapped her arms around his shoulders and drew him down to her.
“Three days.” she breathed in his ear, then nipped wickedly at his throat.
Darcy caught her at once and pulled her upright, kissing her with dark, demanding promise until she moaned against his lips.
“Damn my aunt,” he growled, “Damn her timing! I had not planned to let you leave this bed fordays.”
“Letme?” Lizzie raised an eyebrow breathlessly, “I am not so easily constrained, sir.”
“I think you might be, Mrs. Darcy. We shall see. When your legs are trembling, angel, and your dear voice is hoarse from crying out in pleasure…” he ran his hand deliberately down her throat and cupped her breast, catching her sighing lips in a lingering kiss, “I do not think you will want to leave.”
Elizabeth shivered. It took a great deal of effort to find any words at all, least of all the kind of pert retort she longed to make. “How… how thoroughly you have planned this, my love. This is the first I am hearing of it! How bad you are for thinking such wicked thoughts alone. I shallrefuseto cry out, just to spite you.”
“Oh, you have no idea.” Darcy pushed her back firmly against the pillows and placed her hands on either side of her head, “You will cry out, angel.”
“I shall not be intimidated by you, sir.”
“Very well.” he laughed and tapped the end of her nose. “Keep your hands there, angel, and let us see if you can keep your word.”
Darcy pulled her nightdress slowly above her thighs with teasing, deliberate laziness. His fingers, warm and gentle, brushed against her skin as if by accident, tickling and caressing in infuriating measure. When he met Elizabeth’s wary gaze again, his eyes were as black as night. “Bite your lip, Lizzie. If you make a sound, then I shall stop. We shall see how stubborn you truly are.”
“I shall not…!” she repeated, then gasped when he suddenly tore her nightdress apart, exposing her breasts. “Darcy!”
“That is a terrible start.” he growled, kissing her with blinding haste. His breath was harsh and hot against her skin when his hands began to move. “Say my name again, my love.”
She shook her head emphatically, glaring at him playfully, and pressed her lips tightly shut. Her husband chuckled and returned to his delicious torture. During their many nights together, he had learned many things about her body that even Elizabeth had no notion of. She was baffled to discover that her skin could become so sensitive, or that the lightest touch on the nape of her neck made her shudder with desire. It felt quite peculiar to inhabit a body which did not bend to one’s own will!
Her body, it seemed, preferred another’s command. As pert as her words always were before they undressed each night, Elizabeth could not help but obey.
But no, she would prevail! She wouldnotcry out.
Elizabeth bit her lip, muffling her moans with her trembling fingers as her husband devoured her with his eyes and his hands. She could not do it. She was notstubborn,she could not bespiteful.She could not deny him or the greedy pleasure that her body ached for. When he thrust his fingers inside her she arched up, twisting her hands into the pillows with a helpless groan. The sound was made; her eyes opened in a mute, desperate plea:don’t stop.
He did not. His hand moved again, more insistently, making electrifying jolts of pleasure lash through her with every pulse. Lizzie clutched at his shirt, desperate to kiss him, sobbing his name and begging, pleading for release just as he had wanted. Darcy laughed and kissed her fiercely, thrusting faster and harder until she let out a sobbing cry and quivered around his intimate caress.
“There.” he murmured, stroking her most sensitive part as she writhed helplessly against him. “That is half of it, my angel. In three days, I shall show you the rest.” he kissed her tenderly, stroking her damp hair away from her flushed forehead. “By the time you meet my aunt, Mrs. Darcy, you shall bethoroughlydebauched.”
Chapter 66
Jane asked Elizabeth to meet her in the garden while everyone else was sitting down for luncheon. Not at all surprised that her sister had no appetite, Lizzie hurried there as soon as she got the message. She imagined her sister in tears, as white-faced and broken as she had been the day she arrived from London. To Elizabeth’s utter shock, Jane lookedhappy.
How was it possible? The night before, Jane had looked as if she would never smile again. Mr. Collins’s vicious, unending assault was enough to drive a man to madness, much less a sweet-hearted lady trapped in his web. Elizabeth knew her sister, and she knew that she had been heartbroken at dinner. Now, she looked radiant!
“My darling,” Elizabeth hurried forwards and seized her sister’s hands. “How are you?”
